The Cumberland Crew - Smokey Bastard

Let each good Union-Tar shed a tear of sad pity,

As he listens to the once gallant Cumberland’s fate.

It was the Eighth day of March told a terrible story.

And many a tar to this world bid adieu!

But our flag it was wrapt in a mantle of glory,

By the heroic deeds of the Cumberlands

crew…

On that

ill-fated day about ten in the

morning,

The

sky it was clear, and bright shone the

sun;

The

drums of the Cumberland sounded a

warning,

Bidding

each gallant seaman to stand by his

gun.

An

iron-clad frigate down on us came

bearing.

While high in the air a rebel flag flew;

pennant of treason she proudly was

waving.

Determined to conquer the Cumberland’s

crew.

So our

noble ship fired her guns' dreadful

thunder.

Her

broad-sides, like hail, on the Rebels did

pour;

But our

sailors gazed on, filled with terror and

wonder-

As the

shots struck her sides and glanced harmlessly

forth

But the

pride of our navy could never be

daunted,

Tho' the dead and the dying her deck they did strew;

And the

flag of our Union how proudly she

flaunted.

Sus

tained by the blood of the Cumberland’s

crew.

Electric and Drum Solo:

hours we fought them with stern reso

lution,

Till the

rebels found cannon could never de

cide;

The

flag of secession had no power to

gall them,

Tho' the

blood from their scuppers it crimson’d the

tide,

As they struck us on mid-ship, our planks she did sever,

Her sharp iron prong pierced our noble ship

And

still, though she splintered and twisted hard

over,

We’ll

die at our guns!

cried the Cumberland’s

crew.

Softly…

So

slowly they sank 'Neath Virginia’s dark

waters,

Their

voices on earth will ne’er be heard

more

They’ll be

mourned by Columbia’s brave sons and fair

daughters!

May their

blood be avenged on Virginia’s

shore!-

In their battle-stained graves they are silently lying-

Their souls have forever to each bid adieu!

But the star-spangled banner above them is still flying;

For it was nailed to the mast by the Cumberland’s crew.